History and Overview Suwa Shrine is located in Shimonita, Gunma Prefecture, and is believed to have been founded around 400 years ago. The shrine is dedicated to three deities: Takeminakata, Yasakatome, and Homudawake. Over the centuries, they have been worshipped as deities associated with hunting and agriculture, and later as protectors of warriors. Today, people visit the shrine to pray for prosperity, traffic safety, and good relationships. The shrine’s richly decorated main buildings were constructed between 1837 and 1846. They were designed and built by master carpenter Zenji Yazaemon, who came from the Suwa area of Nagano Prefecture, home to Suwa Taisha, from which Suwa Shrine traces its origins. The buildings are considered among his most notable works from the later years of his career. The shrine buildings viewed from the front Architectural Features The shrine buildings are notable for their distinctive architecture and elaborate carvings. One unusual feature is the way the … 続きを読む Suwa Shrine (Shimonita, Gunma)